Arnold Lobdell 50th Anniversary

 

A small paragraph in a lengthy article about the 50th anniversary party of Stukely Arnold and Louvisa (Lovicy) Lobdell Arnold which contains much family information. Stukely and Lovicy are the parents of my great, great grandfather, Amos Arnold, an early settler of Lyman Township in Ford County, Illinois, located near Roberts, Illinois.

I do not know the exact date of the article and the paper which published it.  It is a very yellowed clipping that someone has saved from 1879.  It is wrapped neatly in plastic to preserve the information for many years. I think Louise Arnold may have given it to Mom.  

First clues in the first line . . . "three brothers bearing the name of Arnold, (direct descendants of one of the four brothers who landed at Plymouth Rock about 1620, coming over in the second vessel that brought colonists from England,) settled in what was then called the town of Plattsburgh," but now belonging to the town of Peru. 

The second ship would be the Fortune. It arrived at Cape Cod November of 1621. The info below about the Fortune is from Wikipedia.  Also, from the site Mayflower History no Arnold's are listed as passengers on the Fortune. The brothers may have been on the Fortune.  It was a smaller ship, and it carried only 35 passengers, mostly young men. Not all the passengers have been identified.  

Possibly a family tale. Maybe. I have only found documentation of my ancestor, Thomas Arnold, arriving in 1635 on the Plain Joan in my research.  

But there is so much more information in this article to be researched.  Next up, who are the 3 Arnold brothers settling in the town of Plattsburgh and when.  

Conjectural illustration of Fortune

WIKIPEDIA

In fall 1621, the Fortune was the second English ship destined for Plymouth Colony in the New World, one year after the voyage of the Pilgrim ship Mayflower. Financed as the Mayflower was by Thomas Weston and others of the London-based Merchant Adventurers, Fortune was to transport thirty-five settlers to the colony on a ship that was much smaller than Mayflower. The Fortune required two months to prepare for the voyage and once underway, reached Cape Cod on 9 November 1621 and the colony itself in late November. The ship was unexpected by those in the Plymouth colony and although it brought useful settlers, many of whom were young men, it brought no supplies, further straining the limited food resources of the colony. The ship only stayed in the colony for about three weeks, returning to England in December loaded with valuable furs and other goods. But when nearing England, instead of heading to the English Channel, a navigation error caused the ship to sail southeast to the coast of France, where it was overtaken and seized by a French warship.

The Fortune finally arrived back in London in February 1622, over two months after leaving Plymouth, but without its valuable cargo. In the end, Weston lost his total investment in the Fortune voyage making it worthwhile only in providing the Plymouth colony with new settlers, some of whom became notable persons in the history of the colony.^[1][2][3]

Preparing for the voyage

At 55 tons displacement, and about one-third the tonnage of the Mayflower, the Fortune was tasked with delivering thirty-five new settlers to Plymouth Colony. Their leader was Robert Cushman who, in 1620, had been the Leiden agent in London for the Mayflower and Speedwell. It is believed that the majority of the passengers of the Fortune were gathered together in London by Thomas Weston and his partner. And although William Bradford stated that there were thirty-five persons on board Fortune, the names of only twenty-eight persons are noted as receiving lots credited to those arriving as noted in the 1623 Division of Land. Eighteen persons are known to have been unmarried, eight married, but emigrating without their families, and as far as can be determined, Mrs. Martha Ford may have been the only woman on the ship. Although it is possible some of the missing seven persons in the passenger count were wives, Bradford does not leave that impression in his account.

Per author Charles Banks, individual records show that sixteen of the passengers can definitely be assigned to London or districts of the city such as Stepney and Southwark. Another three passengers were from Leiden in Holland. Ten more passengers, whose origins cannot be determined, either died early or left the colony as determined by who was listed in the 1627 Division of Cattle, which also doubled as a type of census.^[4][5]

Arrival in the New World

The primary reason for problems at their arrival was the unexpected nature of it and the severe lack of food. As Bradford recorded, "...So they were landed, but there was not as much as biscuit-cake or any other victuals for them neither had they any bedding, but some sorry things they had in their cabins, nor pot, nor pan, to dress meat in; nor over many clothes,…" The colony government was not pleased that Weston had unexpectedly sent over new settlers, and without provisions or other goods to support them. But the labor that had come on the Fortune was welcome, being many young men. Per Bradford, the arrivals were "lusty young men, and many of them wild enough."^[1][3][6][7]

Passengers

The problem that most concerned the colony was the continuing shortage of food made more severe by the arrival of the Fortune. Weston had not provided any provisions for the settlement on board the Fortune. And instead of making the colony situation stronger, the arrival of thirty-seven more persons to feed with the second severe winter for the colony coming on had put things in what would be a disastrous situation. Bradford calculated that even if their daily rations were reduced to half, their store of corn would only last for six more months. And after having worked tirelessly this year and experiencing extreme hardships since their arrival one year earlier, they now would face another hard winter with a shortage of provisions. Bradford wrote, "They were presently put to half allowance, one as well as another, which began to be hard, but they bore it patiently, under the hope of (future) supply."^[7][8]

Although there were thirty-five people on Fortune, only the names of twenty-eight persons are listed as receiving lots in 1623. Eighteen people are known to have been unmarried, eight married but emigrating without their families, and as far as can be determined, Mrs. Martha Ford and Elizabeth Bassett wife of William Bassett were the only women on the ship. Records indicate that sixteen of the passengers were from the London area and three from Leiden. The origins of ten passengers could not be determined.^[9][10]

Some Dates

McNeil - West Wedding

At the home of the bride's parents, on East Green Street in Roberts, Friday evening, July 10, 1925, at 6:30 P.M. Miss Ellen McNeil was married to Mr. Merton West of Paxton.  Rev. John T. Killip, pastor of the Roberts, M. E. Church, officiating.
The rooms were beautifully decorated with flowers and leaves, and an arch of the same construction hung over the alter where the vows were said.  Miss Mary Carolyn White of Decatur sang, "Indian Love Call," after which the wedding march was played by Miss Eulalia Mullens of Decatur.  During this the bride and groom accompanied by the pastor marched down the stairs and into the presence of about sixty guests who had assembled to do honor to the occasion.  The bride was attired in white georgette over blue satin with a veil and head band of silver and orange blossoms. She carried a gorgeous corsage of roses.  The groom wore the conventional blue.  The ceremony was beautifully simple and neatly performed.
Then followed an elaborate dinner consisting of baked potatoes in half shells, creamed chicken in Sweedish timbles, rolls, butter, olives, pickles, ice tea, and salad, ice cream in the shape of wedding bells, and angel food cake.  The wedding cake which was served was heart shaped and was attractive in appearance as well as delicious in quality.
Mr. and Mrs. West left for a two week bridal tour after which they will be at home to their many friends at Paxton where Mr. West is employed in the Paxton State Bank.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. T. McNeil of Roberts and has lived in this community nearly all her life.  She graduated from the R. T. H. S. and later from the Milliken University at Decatur.  She is one of the most popular young ladies of Roberts.  The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. George West of Thawville.  He is a capable young man and stands high in the esteem of the public wherever he is known.  The many friends of both extend congratulations.

 

--Roberts Herald.  15 July 1925.

Wedding Invitation

Invitation to the wedding of Donna Jeanne Linn to William Owen Gentry.  Married on 24 July 1954.

--K. Family Photo Album. 

Gentrys

William Gentry and Donna Linn wedding articles.  Donna is the daughter of Jack and Florella (Zahn) Linn and the granddaughter of Frank and Seba (Arnold) Linn and the great granddaughter of Amos and Lora (Johnson) Arnold.

--K. Family Photo Album.

Linns

Florella Zahn and Arnold "Jack" Linn on their wedding day.

--K. Family Photo Album.

Dorothy (Arnold) Hinders

Thomas Hinders and Dorothy (Arnold) Hinders.  They were married 5 May 1956.
Dorothy is the daughter of Michael R. Arnold and Gertrude (Russell) Arnold.
Michael Arnold is the son of Johnson and Beckie (Zwig) Arnold. 

--K. Family Photo Album.

"Pearle" McNeil

Born in Wessington, South Dakota, on July 24, 1887, Lula "Pearle" McNeil is the oldest child of Eli T. and Harriet M. (Arnold) McNeil.  Pearle's mother Harriet "Hattie"(Arnold) McNeil is the oldest child of Amos and Lora (Johnson) Arnold.  
Pearle graduated from Roberts High School in the class of 1904.  (Peale is in the center, just to the right of the principal.) She continued her education at the Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois.  For several years she was a very successful teacher in the public schools. 

--"Let's Talk About Roberts.  Larry Knilands and Jean Fox.  

Pearle married Chester Dillon August 11, 1915.  The marriage took place on the lawn of the rural Melvin home of the McNeil family with about 60 guests in attendance. 

 

--Melvin Motor.  13 August 1915.

Chester's career  eventually landed the couple in Birmingham, Alabama, where Chester was working for the Birmingham State University.  
In the winter of 1920 Pearle's parents and her sister Ellen went to Birmingham to visit.  While there, Pearle was taken ill with influenza and passed away February 12, 1920, at the age of 32.  She was expecting their first child at the time of her death.
She is buried at Lyman Township Cemetery in Roberts, Illinois, near her parents. 

 

--Roberts Herald.  18 February 1920.

Pearle is easy to identify in family photos, always wearing her dark hair in a high bun.

McNeil - Arnold Wedding

Married March 18, 1885, (Possibly the 17th, I have some questions about this.) at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Roberts, Illinois.

The wedding of Hattie Arnold and Eli McNeil.  Love how they describe all the gifts.

 

--Newspaper Clipping from Susan McNeil Marshall. 

Invite to 50th. Amos and Lora Johnson Arnold

The Wedding of Elma Cook to Herbert Jacobs

--Roberts Herald. 29 December 1937.

Elma and Herbert Jacobs had no children. 

McNeil Smith Wedding

Check out the family chart at the bottom of this page.  Arnold #7.  Lora McNeil is the daughter of Eli and Harriett Arnold McNeil "Hattie."  Hattie Arnold is the oldest child of Amos and Lora Arnold.  Most likely Lora McNeil is named after her grandma Arnold.
Lora McNeil was born in Morrisonville, New York, referencing her obit.  I wonder why she was in New York.  Was Eli from New York?

 

--Roberts Herald.  17 November 1920.

Zahn-Linn Wedding

Saturday evening, May 14, 1927, at the home of the bride's parents, North Main Street, Roberts, Illinois, Miss Florella Irene Zahn was united in marriage to Mr. Arnold J. Linn of Chicago.
Miss Luetta Mae Zahn of Ashland, cousin of the bride sang "I Love You Truly", then at the strains of Lohengrin's wedding march, played by Miss Louise Arnold of Evanston, cousin of the groom, the bridal couple entered the room.  They were attended by Miss. Arlene Tarvin of Roberts a cousin of the bride and Mr. A. G. Bergsteat of Chicago, a fraternal brother of the groom.  The bridal party stood before a bank of ferns and smilax while Rev. John T. Killip, pastor of the M. E. Church of Roberts, pronounced the mystic words which joined for life the happy couple.
Profusions of pink roses, sweet peas, lilies of the valley, orchids, and pink lights beautifully decorated the home. The bride was attired in orchid georgette with silver trimmings and corresponding accessories. She carried a bouquet of sweetheart roses and sweet peas.  The groom wore conventional blue.
After congratulations the guests assembled in the dining room where a four course dinner was served. The bride's table was decorated with sweet peas and smilax and the other tables with pink roses and smilax.
The bride and groom received many beautiful gifts of silver, cut glass, china and linen.
The bride and groom were both born at Roberts.  They both graduated from the Roberts High School in the class of 1920. The bride then attended the Wesleyan University at Bloomington from which she graduated in 1924. The groom graduated from the University of Illinois the same year.  She is a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and he of the Theta Kappa Nu fraternity. After graduation she taught for two years in the Knoxville High School where she was successful.  Mr. Linn entered commercial life and is employed by The Melland Utilities of Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Linn left Saturday evening for a two weeks bridal trip. They will be at home to their many friends at 1865 Elmwood Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, July 1st.

--Roberts Herald.  19 May 1927. 

The Roberts High School Class of 1920, taken in 1918 when they were Sophomores.  Arnold Linn is in the back row far right. Florella Zahn is in the middle row in black. 

Arnold J. Linn is the youngest child of Frank Linn and Seba Arnold Linn.
Arnold and Florella Linn had one daughter Donna Jean Linn. Donna Jean Linn married William Gentry.

I googled 1865 Elmwood Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.  Wonder if this was the home they moved to right after their marriage.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson Arnold

So 130 years ago, this Wednesday, April 6, Beckie Zwieg married Johnson Arnold in Roberts, Illinois.  6 April 1886.  Beckie's father, Carl Zwieg, must sign for his daughter as she is only 17 years old. 
Some of the details on the marriage license which may not be readable on the computer are Johnson's info: occupation, farmer; age next birthday, 24; place of birth, New York.  And Beckie's info: (No occupation is asked of course.) age next birthday, 18; place of birth, Germany. This certificate also states the bride's mother's maiden name, Tena Hermann.  Married at Roberts in the County of Ford. Witness to the marriage are Chris Anderson and Peter Olsen.